Growing up as the kid of a Hollywood A-lister sounds like a dream. You'd think it’s all private jets and unlimited sneakers. But for Ben Affleck and his son, Samuel, the reality is a lot more grounded than the tabloids suggest.
Ben is a guy who has lived through every possible version of fame. He’s been the young Oscar winner, the tabloid fixture, and the respected director. Now, he’s mostly just a dad trying to make sure his 13-year-old doesn't grow up entitled. It’s a tough balance. Honestly, how do you tell a kid they can’t have $6,000 sneakers when they know exactly how much "The Accountant 2" just made?
The $6,000 Sneaker Lesson
In early 2025, a video of Ben and Samuel at a sneaker convention went viral for all the right reasons. Samuel had his eye on a pair of Dior Air Jordans. The price tag? A cool $6,000.
Most celebrity parents might just swipe the card to avoid a scene. Ben didn't. He looked at his son and basically told him he’d need to mow a lot of lawns to afford those. He later joked on Access Hollywood about the "grift" kids pull, saying, "I have the money, you're broke!" It’s a funny line, but it points to a serious philosophy. Ben and his ex-wife, Jennifer Garner, are famously aligned on this. They want their kids—Violet, 20, Fin, 17, and Samuel, 13—to understand the value of a dollar.
Why Anonymity is a Gift
Ben has been vocal about how his own "struggle" in the middle of nowhere was actually a blessing. He didn't grow up with a silver spoon. He wants his kids to have that same hunger. He recently told E! News at the premiere of The Rip in January 2026 that he hopes his kids "don't waste their life acting."
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That’s a heavy statement. It's not that he hates his job. He just knows the cost. He knows that being "Ben Affleck's son" comes with a weight that can be hard to carry. By steering them away from the industry, he’s trying to give them room to breathe.
The Surprising Hobby: Sports Betting?
Kids find weird ways to relate to their parents. For Samuel, it’s sports.
During an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live! in January 2026, Ben shared a hilarious—and slightly concerning—story. Samuel asked him for $100 to bet on sports. Apparently, "all his friends" were doing it. Ben’s reaction was pure gold. He reminded his son that his own father (Samuel’s grandfather) was a small-time bookie who ended up broke.
- The "Grandpa" Rule: Ben uses his own family history as a cautionary tale.
- The Peer Pressure: Even in elite private schools, kids want to fit in with what’s "cool," which apparently now includes the betting spread on Green Bay games.
- The Boundary: Ben laughed it off but kept the "discipline" talk front and center.
It shows a very human side of their relationship. They bond over basketball—often spotted courtside at Lakers games—but Ben is quick to pull the "I'm the dad, not your buddy" card when things get too serious.
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Co-Parenting with Jennifer Garner in 2026
You can't talk about Ben Affleck and his son without mentioning Jennifer Garner. They are essentially the gold standard for celebrity co-parenting.
It wasn't always easy. Garner recently opened up to Marie Claire UK about how hard the initial split was. She talked about losing a "true partnership." But years later, they’ve found a rhythm. They spend holidays together. They show up to Samuel’s basketball games together. They even handled Ben’s recent divorce from Jennifer Lopez with a level of united front that most "normal" families can't manage.
The One Rule They Never Break
They have a pact. No pushing the kids into the spotlight.
While other "nepo babies" are walking runways at 14, the Affleck-Garner kids are mostly seen in grainy paparazzi shots heading to school or grabbing ice cream. This isn't an accident. It's a choice. They are protecting Samuel's right to be a regular teenager for as long as possible.
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What This Means for You
If you're looking at Ben Affleck's life and wondering how he manages the chaos, there are a few takeaways that actually apply to anyone raising kids:
- Financial Literacy is Key: Even if you have the money, don't just give it. Let them feel the weight of a "no."
- History Matters: Use your own family’s mistakes (like the gambling stories) to teach lessons rather than just lecturing.
- Unified Front: If you’re co-parenting, staying on the same page about big values—like career choices and privacy—is everything.
- Shared Hobbies: Find the "basketball game" in your life. Whether it's sports or movies, having that one neutral ground where you're just fans together is vital.
Samuel is 13 now. He’s entering those "gnarly" teenage years Garner talks about. But with Ben leaning into the "un-cool dad" role and setting hard boundaries on $6,000 shoes, he’s getting a masterclass in reality that most Hollywood kids never see.
Keep an eye on the sidelines of the next Lakers game. You'll likely see them there, matching sneakers and all, but don't expect to see Samuel on a movie poster anytime soon. And honestly? That's probably exactly how Ben wants it.
To keep up with how the family handles these public transitions, you can follow updates through verified entertainment outlets like People or The Hollywood Reporter, which tend to respect the family's privacy boundaries more than the tabloids.